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EEM vs. SFSNX
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

EEM vs. SFSNX

Last updated Jun 14, 2026

EEM (iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF) and SFSNX (Schwab Fundamental US Small Company Index Fund) are both funds - EEM is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund tracking the MSCI Emerging Markets Index (Net), while SFSNX is a Small Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Charles Schwab. Over the past 10 years, EEM returned 9.91%/yr vs 11.20%/yr for SFSNX. A 0.68 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. EEM charges 0.72%/yr vs 0.25%/yr for SFSNX.

Performance

EEM vs. SFSNX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (EEM) and Schwab Fundamental US Small Company Index Fund (SFSNX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, EEM achieves a 24.07% return, which is significantly higher than SFSNX's 17.14% return. Over the past 10 years, EEM has underperformed SFSNX with an annualized return of 9.91%, while SFSNX has yielded a comparatively higher 11.20% annualized return.

EEM

1D
0.56%
1M
0.74%
YTD
24.07%
6M
26.94%
1Y
47.57%
3Y*
21.60%
5Y*
6.56%
10Y*
9.91%

SFSNX

1D
2.55%
1M
4.00%
YTD
17.14%
6M
14.64%
1Y
34.12%
3Y*
15.66%
5Y*
7.28%
10Y*
11.20%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

EEM vs. SFSNX - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
EEM
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF		24.07%33.98%6.49%8.95%-20.56%-3.63%17.02%18.22%-15.31%37.26%
SFSNX
Schwab Fundamental US Small Company Index Fund		17.14%7.66%8.99%20.15%-14.79%30.91%8.49%24.44%-12.26%12.84%

Correlation

The correlation between EEM and SFSNX is 0.60, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.60

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.59

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.60

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.60

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 2, 2008

0.68

The correlation between EEM and SFSNX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.59 to 0.68 - a consistent structural relationship.

EEM vs. SFSNX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors
EEM
SFSNX

Technology

44.3%
15.1%

Financial Services

17.7%
14.5%

Consumer Cyclical

8.3%
12.2%

Industrials

6.6%
19.1%

Communication Services

6.0%
4.2%

Basic Materials

5.9%
5.2%

Energy

3.4%
6.1%

Consumer Defensive

2.5%
4.2%

Healthcare

2.5%
6.8%

Utilities

1.8%
2.8%

Real Estate

1.0%
9.8%

Technology

EEM
44.3%
SFSNX
15.1%

Financial Services

EEM
17.7%
SFSNX
14.5%

Consumer Cyclical

EEM
8.3%
SFSNX
12.2%

Industrials

EEM
6.6%
SFSNX
19.1%

Communication Services

EEM
6.0%
SFSNX
4.2%

Basic Materials

EEM
5.9%
SFSNX
5.2%

Energy

EEM
3.4%
SFSNX
6.1%

Consumer Defensive

EEM
2.5%
SFSNX
4.2%

Healthcare

EEM
2.5%
SFSNX
6.8%

Utilities

EEM
1.8%
SFSNX
2.8%

Real Estate

EEM
1.0%
SFSNX
9.8%

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF

Schwab Fundamental US Small Company Index Fund

Often compared with EEM:
EEM vs. VWOEEM vs. SPYEEM vs. IEMGEEM vs. IS3N.DEEEM vs. VXUSEEM vs. EEMSEEM vs. SPEM
Often compared with SFSNX:
SFSNX vs. SWSSXSFSNX vs. AVUVSFSNX vs. VBRSFSNX vs. NEAGXSFSNX vs. TSCGXSFSNX vs. FSLCXSFSNX vs. SFLNX

Return for Risk

EEM vs. SFSNX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
EEM
EEM Risk / Return Rank: 7575
Overall Rank
EEM Sharpe Ratio Rank: 7676
Sharpe Ratio Rank
EEM Sortino Ratio Rank: 7070
Sortino Ratio Rank
EEM Omega Ratio Rank: 7878
Omega Ratio Rank
EEM Calmar Ratio Rank: 7575
Calmar Ratio Rank
EEM Martin Ratio Rank: 7575
Martin Ratio Rank
SFSNX
SFSNX Risk / Return Rank: 6868
Overall Rank
SFSNX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6161
Sharpe Ratio Rank
SFSNX Sortino Ratio Rank: 6565
Sortino Ratio Rank
SFSNX Omega Ratio Rank: 5454
Omega Ratio Rank
SFSNX Calmar Ratio Rank: 8585
Calmar Ratio Rank
SFSNX Martin Ratio Rank: 7373
Martin Ratio Rank
The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

EEM vs. SFSNX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (EEM) and Schwab Fundamental US Small Company Index Fund (SFSNX). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

EEMSFSNXDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
2.10
1.82

+0.28

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.73
2.63

+0.10

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.40

1.31

+0.08

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

3.36

3.36

+0.01

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

12.38

10.94

+1.45

EEM vs. SFSNX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current EEM Sharpe Ratio is 2.10, which is comparable to the SFSNX Sharpe Ratio of 1.82. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of EEM and SFSNX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

EEM vs. SFSNX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum EEM drawdown since its inception was -66.43%, which is greater than SFSNX's maximum drawdown of -58.32%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for EEM and SFSNX.

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Drawdown Indicators

EEMSFSNXDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-66.43%

-58.32%

-8.11%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-13.52%

-9.43%

-4.09%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-17.29%

-25.91%

+8.62%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-37.49%

-25.91%

-11.58%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-39.82%

-44.82%

+5.00%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-4.12%

0.00%

-4.12%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-16.00%

-8.30%

-7.70%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

3.67%

2.89%

+0.78%

Volatility

EEM vs. SFSNX - Volatility Comparison

iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (EEM) has a higher volatility of 10.80% compared to Schwab Fundamental US Small Company Index Fund (SFSNX) at 5.25%. This indicates that EEM's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than SFSNX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

EEMSFSNXDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

10.80%

5.25%

+5.55%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

19.39%

12.32%

+7.07%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

21.64%

17.42%

+4.22%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

19.26%

20.86%

-1.60%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

20.64%

23.29%

-2.65%

EEM vs. SFSNX - Expense Ratio Comparison

EEM has a 0.72% expense ratio, which is higher than SFSNX's 0.25% expense ratio.

Dividends

EEM vs. SFSNX - Dividend Comparison

EEM's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.79%, more than SFSNX's 1.16% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
EEM
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF		1.79%2.22%2.43%2.63%2.50%1.99%1.45%2.76%2.24%1.89%1.89%2.49%
SFSNX
Schwab Fundamental US Small Company Index Fund		1.16%1.36%1.71%1.37%7.05%12.27%1.42%3.66%11.55%6.88%1.86%6.37%

Frequently Asked Questions

EEM and SFSNX have a correlation of 0.60, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

EEM has higher volatility (10.80%) compared to SFSNX (5.25%). In terms of maximum drawdown, EEM dropped -66.43% vs SFSNX's -58.32%.

EEM currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.10 vs 1.82), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.

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